Michele Marieschi - The Grand Canal with Santa Maria della Salute (ca. 1738 - 1740)

Wentke (Gown)

Mid 18th Century

The Netherlands

Women in Hindeloopen, a town in the northern Netherlandish province of Friesland, traditionally wore this type of striking lightweight coat, called a wentke, on special occasions. Beginning in the mid-eighteenth century, wentkes were usually made of boldly patterned Indian chintzes, and contrary to the custom in the rest of Europe of confining chintz to casual and private occasions, residents of Hindeloopen elevated this exotic fabric to a formal status. The wentke was often worn with other garments of Indian cotton. (The MET)

Peabody Essex Museum (Object Number: 2012.22.15)

1730 Charles Philips - Tea Party at Lord Harrington's House, St. James's

(Yale Center for British Art)

Tea pot, 1730, Holland.

Family group portrait by Martin van Meytens the Younger, 1730-31 Sweden

This jacket is the result of more than 2 and a half years of work, entirely handsewn! It represents the interest in equestrian and equestrian-inspired clothing as fashionable attire in Europe during the late 17th and into the 18th centuries.

I copied it from a jacket held by the Met Costume Institute, accession number 1981.314.2. When I emailed out to them for more information about the jacket, one of the collections people was even kind enough to pull it out of storage and take some detailed shots of the exterior AND interior (thanks Marci!!!)

The Met dates it to the 2nd quarter of the 18th century which could be true--but there are several features of this jacket that could easily be dated earlier to the late 17th century, like the button size and layout. I plan to mull over this more in a later post. At least, I would definitely place it in the earlier end of that 1725-1750 range. However, I chose to style it for the 1730s/1740s because it's Fun For Me 🙂!

One of the most fun parts was gathering accessories to go with the jacket! I steamed a wool hat blank into the tricorn shape and applied the silver trim, made some detachable undersleeves based on paintings by Pietro Longhi, and threw together a matching neck ribbon as if I was some kind of ornamental poodle

A woman's mantua and petticoat, British, 1735-1740, brown silk, brocaded in floral design with rust, maroon, blue floss and chenille, Spitalfields, c1732; altered 1870-1910

Pink silk robe volante, 1720-1735.

Palais Galliera.

The American English expression "fried chicken" was first recorded in the 1830s, and frequently appears in American cookbooks of the 1860s and 1870s. The origin of fried chicken in the southern states of America has been traced to precedents in Scottish and West African cuisine. Scottish fried chicken was cooked in fat, and West African fried chicken added different seasonings,and was battered and cooked in palm oil. Scottish frying techniques and African seasoning techniques were used in the American South by enslaved Africans

Fried chicken provided some means of an independent economy for enslaved and segregated African-American women, who became noted sellers of poultry (live or cooked) as early as the 1730s.Because of the expensive nature of the ingredients, it was, despite popular belief, a rare dish in the African-American community reserved (as in Africa) for special occasions.When it was introduced to the American South, fried chicken became a common staple. Later, as the slave trade led to Africans being brought to work on southern plantations, the enslaved people who became cooks incorporated seasonings and spices that were absent in traditional Scottish cuisine, enriching the flavor. Since most enslaved people were unable to raise expensive meats, but were generally allowed to keep chickens, frying chicken on special occasions continued in the African-American communities of the South, especially in the periods of segregationthat closed off most restaurants to the African population

American-style fried chicken gradually passed into everyday use as a general Southern dish, especially after the abolition of slavery, and its popularity spread. Since fried chicken traveled well in hot weather before refrigeration was commonplace and industry growth reduced its cost, it gained further favor across the South. Fried chicken continues to be among this region's top choices for "Sunday dinner". Holidays such as Independence Day and other gatherings often feature this dish. During the 20th century, chain restaurants focused on fried chicken began among the boom in the fast food industry. Brands such as Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Popeyes expanded in the United States and across the world.

Frances Arnold, William Hogarth, 1738-40

Silk damask robe a'langlaise. Spitalfields silk c.1735, dress c.1765.

via fashionmuseum.fitnyc.edu

Miniature English Drawing Room of the Early Georgian Period, 1730s

Narcissa Niblack Thorne & Unknown Artisans

c.1937

Art Institute of Chicago (Reference Number: 1941.1192)

1736 Petrus Johannes van Reysschoot - Danvers Osborn, Governor of New York

(Private collection via Sotheby’s)

Plate, 1730-50, China.

Portrait of a woman as Flora by Jacques-François Delyen, circa 1730-35 

Isabel and Andrea worked diligently within their tight time constraints, successfully arranging all the details for the wedding. The ceremony took place on a stunning winter afternoon. In the presence of their family and friends, Diego and Andrea exchanged their vows. To begin, Father Soledad officiated the wedding following Catholic customs. Following this, Kasike Hatuey conducted the Caney circle ceremony.

Wrapped in the Conjugal blanket by Isabel and Diego's grandmother, the couple was presented with two small plates, one with turkey and the other with cassava. They took turns feeding each other while reciting the following heartfelt words: "By giving you this token of my love, I vow to feed you with my devotion. I vow to nourish you with the food of my soul from this day on." With these words, the Taino marriage ceremony came to a close.

A small reception followed, and the townspeople celebrated the newlyweds. Antonio delivered a heartfelt speech and raised a toast, which brought tears to Andrea's eyes. She was not only delighted to be united with Carabi but also relieved to leave behind the recent challenges and embark on her new life with her beloved husband.

Diego Carabi Serrano & Andrea Beatriz Sánchez de Serrano’s portrait-Winter 1730

Beginning | Previous | Next